30 May 2013 - ICTY

49499
6.4 The Serbian Volunteer Guard
6.4.1 Introduction
1757. In this chapter, the Trial Chamber will review the evidence concerning the unit known
as the SDG. The Trial Chamber will address the Prosecution allegations as they are presented
in the Indictment. In this respect, it will first review the evidence on the formation of the
SDG. Second, it will examine whether the Accused directed the SDG in specific operations.
Third, it will consider whether the Accused organized, supplied, financed, and supported the
involvement of the SDG in particular operations. Fourth, the Trial Chamber will turn to the
allegations that the Accused directed and organized the financing, training, logistical support,
and other substantial assistance or support for the SDG. Finally, it will consider the Accused’s
alleged failure to instruct the SDG to refrain from committing unlawful acts. 3498
6.4.2 The Accused directed and organized the formation of the Serbian Volunteer Guard
1758. According to the Indictment, the Accused directed and organized the formation of the
SDG. 3499 In its Final Trial Brief, the Prosecution submits that the SDG was founded in Serbia
on 11 October 1990. 3500 With respect to the formation of the SDG, the Trial Chamber has
received relevant evidence from, in particular, Jovan Dimitrijević, Borislav Pelević, and
Witness JF-057, as well as documentary evidence. The Trial Chamber will take into
consideration the evidence and the parties’ arguments relating to further support rendered to
the SDG below, in the relevant sections of this chapter.
1759. Jovan Dimitrijević, a former member of the SDG, 3501 testified that in 1991 Radmilo
Bogdanović and Arkan became friends when the first was honorary president of the football
team and on the management board of Red Star Belgrade and the latter leader of the team
supporters. 3502 The witness further testified that the basic cell from which the SDG developed
were supporters of Red Star Belgrade. 3503 According to Borislav Pelević, a member of the
SDG since 10 January 1992, 3504 Željko Ražnatović, a.k.a. Arkan, had told Radmilo
3498 To the extent the Prosecution used different terminology in relation to these alleged acts of the Accused in its
Final Trial Brief, the Trial Chamber interprets such different wording to reflect the Indictment charges.
3499 Indictment, paras 4, 15(b).
3500 Prosecution Final Trial Brief, 14 December 2012, para. 311.
3501 Jovan Dimitrijević, T. 16055.
3502 Jovan Dimitrijević, T. 16167-16168.
3503 Jovan Dimitrijević, T. 16168.
3504 Borislav Pelević, T. 16319, 16321-16322, 16515.
Case No. IT-03-69-T 619
30 May 2013